Cottonwood Canyon

A drive through Cottonwood Canyon reveals a shifting landscape of open wilderness, rock formations, and rugged canyon. The unpaved Cottonwood Canyon Road, which winds through the canyon along Cottonwood Wash for most of the way, cuts a path through this remote region of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Traveling south on Cottonwood Canyon Road, past Kodachrome Basin State Park, leads to Cottonwood Wash Narrows. This slot canyon is an easy-to-moderate hike, following along the Cockscomb ridge and enclosed by tall Navajo sandstone cliffs. The unmarked trailhead is on the west side of the road, about 3.5 miles south of the turnoff for Grosvenor Arch or 25.5 miles north of US89, depending on your approach. There are turnouts for parking on both sides of the road.

To get to Cottonwood Canyon Road from Kanab, travel about 32 miles on US89 then turn north at the signpost between mile markers 17 and 18. Travelers should check with the visitor center prior to heading out, as wet conditions can make Cottonwood Canyon Road impassable.